Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, but service connection for a neck disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease with myelomalacia - cervical spine is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board will seek an addendum opinion from the VA examiner to address whether the current cervical spine disability is related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to a lack of adequate VA medical examinations or medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a back condition due to a procedural error, as the Veteran's appeal was not timely filed within one year of the rating decision or 60 days after an SOC.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's neck condition is secondary to his service-connected back condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists, finding that entitlement to benefits arose on September 1, 1999, but the claim was filed later.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding various service connection claims due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Board has ordered remand for further development due to inadequate medical opinions in the June 2021 decision regarding service connection for neck and bilateral hip disabilities.

The Board has restored the Veteran's prior 20% disability rating for cervical strain with IVDS and degenerative disc disease, effective January 21, 2020, as the reduction was improper due to lack of improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for cervical spine disability was dismissed due to improper docketing under the Appeals Modernization Act. The appeals for bronchitis, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability were all granted based on new evidence received since previous final decisions.

The Veteran's neck disability is rated 20 percent from May 1, 2013, and 30 percent thereafter. The rating for back disability has not been met. The right ankle disability was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to October 30, 2020, and 20 percent thereafter. The right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated 20 percent.,The Veteran's left hip disability and diabetes mellitus are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's cervical herniated disc with myelopathy, status post anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is found to be caused by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder is dismissed as part of the separate appeal stream in the Legacy appeal system.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of a nexus opinion provided by the May 2019 VA examiner, who did not provide an etiological link between the Veteran's neck disability and service.

The Veteran was granted service connection for right and left lower extremity sciatica, each rated at 10 percent effective September 30, 2020.,The Veteran was also granted service connection for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, each rated at 20 percent effective October 30, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus and a neck disability due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's tinnitus is related to noise exposure during service, while his neck disability may be related to an in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine condition, as it is unclear whether the condition is related to his military service or if it is aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The AOJ needs to obtain additional medical opinions on these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of permanent and total disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates earlier than February 24, 2020 were dismissed due to improper docketing under the AMA.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back and cervical spine disabilities continue to reside within the legacy appeals system.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is related to active service and has been granted service connection.